Biology Project Report
Topic: Case-Based Studies on Brain Cancer
Submitted by: ____________________
Class: XII (CBSE)
Subject: Biology
Introduction
This project report presents two anonymized case studies of patients diagnosed with brain cancer. The purpose is
to understand the clinical presentation, diagnostic findings, treatment approach, and prognosis of brain tumors.
Patient confidentiality is maintained, and no personal identifiers are included. These cases reflect common
real-world scenarios encountered in oncology practice.
Case Study 1 — Adult Glioblastoma (GBM)
Patient: 52-year-old man
Presenting complaints: Morning headaches for 3 weeks, seizure episode, mild weakness in right hand.
Examination: Alert; mild right-sided motor weakness.
Imaging (MRI): Single ring-enhancing lesion in the left frontal lobe with central necrosis and surrounding edema.
Provisional diagnosis: High-grade glioma (likely GBM).
Management: Maximal safe surgical resection followed by radiotherapy (60 Gy/30 fractions) and chemotherapy
(temozolomide). Histopathology confirmed Glioblastoma, IDH-wildtype, WHO grade 4.
Clinical course/outcome: Initial recovery was good. Tumor progression occurred after 10 months. Overall
survival was about 14 months, consistent with typical GBM prognosis.
Learning points:
- GBM typically shows ring enhancement, necrotic core, and edema on MRI.
- Standard treatment: surgery + radiotherapy + temozolomide.
- Prognosis remains poor despite therapy (average survival ~12–15 months).
Case Study 2 — Pediatric Medulloblastoma
Patient: 13-year-old girl
Presenting complaints: Headache, early morning vomiting, unsteady gait for 2 months.
Examination: Broad-based gait, cerebellar signs, papilledema.
Imaging (MRI): Midline posterior fossa mass compressing 4th ventricle, consistent with medulloblastoma.
Management: Posterior fossa craniotomy with gross total resection. Histopathology confirmed medulloblastoma,
WHO grade 4. Patient received craniospinal irradiation and multi-agent chemotherapy.
Clinical course/outcome: At 24 months follow-up, no evidence of disease; mild high-frequency hearing loss
noted as a treatment-related side effect.
Learning points:
- Common malignant posterior fossa tumor in children.
- Symptoms: raised intracranial pressure and cerebellar dysfunction.
- Standard treatment: surgery + craniospinal radiotherapy + chemotherapy.
- Prognosis is better in average-risk cases.
References
1. Cancers (MDPI) — Glioblastoma: Clinical Presentation, Multidisciplinary Management, and Future Directions.
2. Radiopaedia — Glioblastoma: solitary ring-enhancing lesion.
3. Cureus (PMC) — Medulloblastoma in a 13-Year-Old Female: Case Report.
4. Case-based review (PMC) — Pediatric Medulloblastoma.
